WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has approved acquisition by Canadian Pacific Kansas City and CSX Transportation of the Meridian & Bigbee Railroad from Genesee & Wyoming, allowing the two Class I lines to create a new direct connection at Myrtlewood, Ala. The approval is effective Nov. 16, 2024. In separate decisions, the board approved […]
Train Topic: Railroad Operations
CN train derails in Saskatchewan after striking tractor
GERARD, Saskatchewan — A Canadian National intermodal train has derailed near the Manitoba border after striking a farm tractor, the Canadian Press reports. The incident occurred this afternoon (Oct. 16) at a grade crossing near Gerald, Sask. The driver of the tractor was killed, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, while a CN spokeswoman […]
TSB of Canada renews call for PTC-type system after near-collision between VIA train, CN freight
GATINEAU, Quebec — A VIA Rail Canada train came within about 1,100 feet of a head-on collision with a Canadian National freight train in an April 2023 incident, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said in an investigation report released today (Wednesday, Oct. 16). In the report, the agency renewed its call for Canada to […]
MBTA Green Line train ran red signal, was speeding prior to derailment, NTSB says
WASHINGTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Green Line train that derailed earlier this month ran through a red signal and was traveling at 36 mph in a 10-mph zone immediately before derailing, according to the preliminary investigation report from the National Transportation Safety Board. The derailment occurred when the train reached a switch that […]
STB extends mediation for Union Pacific, Metra
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board on Tuesday, Oct. 15, granted Union Pacific a 30-day extension to the mediation period in its effort to reach an agreement with Chicago’s Metra regarding some financial aspects of an agreement to continue commuter rail service on three Metra routes on UP lines. The mediation period was to have […]
Switzerland’s MOB orders new locomotives for GoldenPass Express
MONTREUX, Switzerland — The Montreux Overland Bernois Railway (MOB) has ordered six new locomotives from Stadler for the meter-gauge rail line, four of which will be used on the gauge-changing GoldenPass Express passenger train. The other two locomotives are intended for rail services and infrastructure maintenance. The dual-cab, B-B locomotives will be hybrid electrics, able […]
NTSB to investigate fatal NJ Transit accident (additional update)
MANSFIELD TOWNSHIP, N.J. — The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the accident that killed the operator of an NJ Transit light rail train. The agency made the announcement in a late Monday post to X.com. The operator was killed and more than 20 passengers were injured when a train on NJ Transit’s River Line […]
Nickel Plate SD9 shines on Indiana Rail Experience cigar train
PLEASANT LAKE, Ind. — The Indiana Rail Experience operated its second cigar train using Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society passenger cars on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, on host railroad Indiana Northeastern. The “Rocky Patel Rolling Smoke Cigar Train” train operated behind Nickel Plate Road SD9 No. 358 in pull-pull fashion from Pleasant Lake to Hillsdale, […]
Operator killed after NJ Transit light rail train strikes tree
MANSFIELD TOWNSHIP, N.J. — The operator of a train on NJ Transit’s River Line has died after the train stuck a downed tree early this morning, KYW-TV reports. The incident occurred shortly after 6 a.m. when a southbound train from Trenton hit the tree just north of the Roebling station. Forty-five people were reported to […]
CPKC train derails in Louisiana
SIMSBORO, La. — No injuries were reported when 19 cars of a CPKC train derailed Sunday morning between the towns of Simsboro and Grambling, La.. The Ruston Leader reports the derailment occurred about 6:30 a.m. The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office reports that some cars carried a hazardous material, although the material involved was not specified. […]
CN imposes axle-count restriction on VIA’s Venture trainsets (corrected)
MONTREAL — Apparently triggered by one or more incidents in which a VIA Rail Canada Venture trainset failed to activate highway crossing warning devices, Canadian National is now requiring that all of VIA’s Venture-equipped trainsets operate with 32 axles. The edict came late Friday, at the beginning of Canada’s Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend. It also […]
UP, Ferromex limit grain traffic into Mexico following derailment
EAGLE PASS, Texas — Union Pacific and Mexican partner Ferromex have suspended permits for grain shuttles as a result of a derailment in Mexico, UP said in a notice to customers issued Saturday, Oct. 12. The suspension of permits for two active Ferromex embargos reflects “the high volume of ag unit trains in the pipeline […]